Consider your environment. Is it consistent with your brand? Are you selling high-tech innovation and your retail store looks like 1960 stopped in time? Is your brand about hip fashion and is your staff dressed in dated garb?

Think about your customer contact. Is it supportive of your ?We truly care; we are the friendly company?? Or is your phone system obnoxiously annoying, and is your receptionist rude and mumbles all the time?

Most businesses have three stages of contact to infuse a great experience: before customers buy, while they are buying and after they buy. What can you do to make the experience great?

Here are a few ideas to consider: -Bring the brand to your employees; enlist their ideas on adding experience. -Whatever you decide, train and communicate to the troops and offer incentives to them to deliver it. -Develop things you can give your customers that are about giving value, not selling. -Breathe brand in your behind-the-scenes operation areas. Employees who get it will deliver it. -Think about all the senses and how you can tap into them. -Be the customer for a day and go through your buying experience. -Talk to your customers even when they are not buying. Send thank-you notes and birthday cards. Know their names and what they value.

In today?s competitive business world, there are many good companies vying for the same customers, singing the same song and pitching the same products. Deliver a memorable experience that solidifies your brand and customers will pay more for your offering and stick with you for a lifetime.

About the author Karen Post, The Branding Diva?, is an author, national speaker and consultant on branding, marketing and communication issues. For nearly 20 years she has provided branding counsel and communication programs for individuals; start-ups; local, regional and national companies; politicians; and nonprofit organizations. For more information contact Karen Post at kp@brandingdiva.com or visit her at www.brandingdiva.com.

About the Author

About the author Karen Post, The Branding Diva?, is an author, national speaker and consultant on branding, marketing and communication issues. For nearly 20 years she has provided branding counsel and communication programs for individuals; start-ups; local, regional and national companies; politicians; and nonprofit organizations. For more information contact Karen Post at kp@brandingdiva.com or visit her at www.brandingdiva.com.